Traditions and challenges…
The cinema is trying to overcome a serious crisis …
This time a global crisis …
This is not the first cinema crisis …
It is not even its first global crisis …
But in contrast to its previous crises – outside it or partially inside it, this
crisis threatened and still threatens the motive of the existence of cinema
in modern times …,
the desire to consume the film together…
The world of professionals and the world of the public were found
challenged in different ways …
Professionals – challenged by impossibility of creation, engagement,
expression, or freedom on the set…
Public – challenged with deprivation…
The place of time spent qualitatively together, still partially occupied by
fear of each other…
Despite resistance efforts and safeguards, the challenge of the fear of the
community that cinema presupposes and motivates continues to shrink
ventures and productions, while professionals' communication with the
public, criticism and each other is increasingly housed in virtuality.
The global shock, however, has its own local appearance …
– Who does not consume cinema – does not miss it …
– Who grows up with cinema – cannot live without it …
As we face the ups and downs of the pandemic and our planning follows in
its footsteps, film festivals – literally or virtually – continue to remain not
only a safe alternative to organized film consumption and specialized
thinking about it, but also a survival mode for cinema in the transitional
period between yesterday and tomorrow.
In this joint mission with other film festivals – abroad, but especially within
the borders – the DEA OPEN AIR International Film Festival reopens its
doors for the eighth time:
– for prestigious film products from the country, the region, Europe
and the world,
– for four juries of professionals from the country and the world
– for students, docents, and products of four film academies
– for filmmakers, media, and film-loving public
In real form, in virtual form or in both forms at the same time, the artistic
and professional communication with the film and about film will find
these days maximum space in the life of the festival participants and their
audience …
Let’s give it completely to the cinema…!
Let’s forget, think, get excited and revolt all together again in the
cinema…!
Let the magic begin!
Have a nice festival!
Edmond TOPI
Director of the Festival
